I was wondering what you guys thought about "junk", or off-brand knockoff BMX bikes from the '70s and '80s.

My dad has always been a scavenger and has picked up a number of "trash" bikes through the years that aren't too far gone, so do you think it's a waste of time even messing with them if they're not (as far as I know) big name bikes?

Yep....a total waste of time.. Just try to find out what they are before you dump them...cause you never know?????

Some of them are really cool, but they're hard to sell and therefore hard to justify the storage space. I've had to pass on a few really interesting off-brand completes in excellent condition because I couldn't answer the question "what am I gonna do with this?"

I hear that one!

Thanks for the feedback guys. I didn't think so, but wanted to be sure. I may still put one aside to use as a guinea pig for my first resto, so hopefully I'm less likely to screw up something valuable.

I think it depends on what you are looking for out of those bikes.
Likely they will never have any cash or collector value - but they can be used as bikes.
How many kids around your neighborhood could use a bike or some parts for their current bike?
Junk or treasure depends on perspective. Seems to me more of a waste to trash them.

Let me know if you come across a "Hardtail"

To me, there would have to have something unique about a knockoff/junker before I would even consider time and effort to fix it up--styling, brand name, sentimental attachement, etc.

The next issue is how much work/cost would be involved. If it were free or very cheap (under $10) and it wouldn't take much to fix up, I might consider it.

If it doesn't pass both criteria, I definitely pass.

Ditto Andy T. Maybe scavenge parts off two or three to build one. Then take it to goodwill (they only take complete bikes). Some kid will get a cheap bike and you get a tax deduction for next year. Everybody wins.

As the designated "Fred Sanford" of bmx, I love junk bmx bikes!! Can't get enough of them.